Talk me out of it: Ruger Gunsite Scout in .308

fshalor

fshalor

Joined
Jul 1, 2012
Messages
5,868
Likes
5,049
Location
Portland, ME
Feedback: 10 / 0 / 0
I have a strong and potentially unhealthy hankering for a .308 or 30-06 rifle to round out my safe.

I gave up my LH Ruger 30-06 when I moved to MA. (Someone in FLA needed it more.)

While I'm fine shooting ambi (and am right handed), but am leaning more towards a .308 round for weight/cost/availability. I'm not looking for an AR10 platform, and would prefer bolt action.

Reading through Cooper's "Scout" concept, every point he makes echos with what I'd like to have sitting in the safe. This would be the one long gun I would try and spend the most time with. (More so than my AR-15 flavored long guns. )

So, talk me out of it? Should I be looking at the Ruger American instead? Or a Remington 700/Savage with the shorter barrel options and some toughening up?

I've heard very mixed reviews of the Gunsite...
 
One of the more informed hi-power/long distance rifle shooting members here wrote a review on it awhile back, and I was completely turned off after that. I'll have to try to dig it up.

ETA: Here's the thread....
http://www.northeastshooters.com/vb...r-Gunsite-Scout-rifle?highlight=ruger+gunsite

Now granted, in the time that has elapsed, they may have improved the thing considerably.. I would want to be able to "pet" one of these things before I bought it, though.

-Mike
 
Last edited:
drgrant said:
One of the more informed hi-power/long distance rifle shooting members here wrote a review on it awhile back, and I was completely turned off after that. I'll have to try to dig it up.

-Mike
Click to expand...

Me too, that was actually a great thread. I do still want a Scout rifle someday, but I will be looking at the Savage when I do.
 
.308 is a great round for your applications. If/when you decide to get a little more serious, you can buy a 300 Win Mag or something in the 6mm family.

I would highly recommend a Remington 700 SPS Tactical (20" threaded barrel, wouldn't go any lower) or pick up a cheap Remington 700 SPS Varmint from Dick's. Very capable, more accessories, stocks, magazines, rails, etc than you know what to do with.

Scout rifle is a niche market. If it was suitable for your needs, you wouldn't have needed to ask the question. Get a Remington or Savage.
 
edmorseiii said:
Wicked expensive. I have shot one, and it is an impressive rifle, but the stock and integral bipod thing is strange. I would rather have a more tradition rifle.
Click to expand...

The real problem is the things seem to be made of unobtainium. I've seen a couple .223s in the past like, 5 years or so, but not a single .308.

-Mike
 
drgrant said:
The real problem is the things seem to be made of unobtainium. I've seen a couple .223s in the past like, 5 years or so, but not a single .308.

-Mike
Click to expand...

The 308 I shot belonged to an FFL, so if they wanted it they could get it.
 
drgrant said:
The real problem is the things seem to be made of unobtainium. I've seen a couple .223s in the past like, 5 years or so, but not a single .308.

-Mike
Click to expand...

I bought my Steyr Scout in 308 at Stateline. I think he charged me around 1900. It's my deer rifle and I love it. I have the Ruger too but it's just not the same. Fun to shoot but to heavy for the scout label.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
my experience w the ruger gunsite scout has been overwhelmingly positive.

my current configuration is with a leupold scout scope, although over time i am becoming less of a scout configuration fan but i cannot criticize the rifle on this basis as they are really two different topics.

the barrel is a bit short which i think leads to a little more blast than might be experienced w an 18" barrel. that being said the performance has been excellent for me. the steel mags are nice but ruger makes lightweight polymer mags that are far superior IMO.

in a perfect world i would switch my gunsite scout setup over to a conventional optic (note that ruger does include steel rings for standard optic mounting above the receiver) and i would love to swap my stock over to the new polymer stock but i am unable to find them.

anyone found somewhere that the gunsite scout polymer stock can be purchased? (just the stock, that is).
 
fshalor said:
I have a strong and potentially unhealthy hankering for a .308 or 30-06 rifle to round out my safe.

I gave up my LH Ruger 30-06 when I moved to MA. (Someone in FLA needed it more.)

While I'm fine shooting ambi (and am right handed), but am leaning more towards a .308 round for weight/cost/availability. I'm not looking for an AR10 platform, and would prefer bolt action.

Reading through Cooper's "Scout" concept, every point he makes echos with what I'd like to have sitting in the safe. This would be the one long gun I would try and spend the most time with. (More so than my AR-15 flavored long guns. )

So, talk me out of it? Should I be looking at the Ruger American instead? Or a Remington 700/Savage with the shorter barrel options and some toughening up?

I've heard very mixed reviews of the Gunsite...
Click to expand...
I have one, maybe we can meet up.
 
I have the ruger gs and very happy with it. The controls are intuitive to me. It shoulders well and points where I want it to go with the irons. I'm still getting comfortable with the forward mount scope. I'm using a nikon 2-7x28 force x handgun scope and the relief is a little goofy. I have a savage also but I've never been able to get comfortable with it. The ruger mags work very good but the savage don't lock in as well. I also the options of low profile hunting mags- 3 or 5 & 10 rounders just because. That being said try and find someone that has one at your club etc and give it a run.
 
Last edited:
fshalor said:
Should I be looking at the Ruger American instead?
Click to expand...

Depends on what you are looking to spend. While these may not be a nice as some of the rifles mentioned in this thread, these have received crazy good reviews for the money.
 
I have a Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle, and like it just fine.

The polymer mags are definitely easier to load, and just feel better (lighter, too).

I put a Leatherwood HiLux 2-7 variable power scout scope on the forward rail. I've also played around with putting a red-dot on it.

I haven't shot it much, because .308 is comparatively expensive, and because I think I decided I just prefer semi-automatics, hence my .308 AR build.

uploadfromtaptalk1382154278807.jpg
 

Similar threads

Talk to me about Cimarron arms.
Replies
1
Views
153
38ExtraSpecial
38ExtraSpecial
  • Poll Poll
What Do We Think Of This?
Replies
10
Views
398
Sterg
Sterg
2024 in Review at Derr Precision
Replies
8
Views
285
fencer
fencer
"Day of the Dead" Colt 1911 project
Replies
7
Views
321
tcolt45
T
Testing out a couple of builds
Replies
1
Views
161
MAJoe
M
Back
Top Bottom